Director of Maintenance

Location: Naas, County Kildare, Ireland Salary: As per Company scale

Job Summary Nua Healthcare Services (Nua) is one of Ireland's leading Private Healthcare Providers, specialising in Residential, Mental Health and Supported Living Services for both Children and Adults with a range of complex support needs.

We are currently seeking applications from an experienced Director of Maintenance to join the expanding Facilities and Maintenance team within Nua Healthcare. The Director of Maintenance will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the organisation's maintenance and facilities function, ensuring that all Nua Healthcare properties and facilities are maintained to the highest standards and in line with health, safety, regulatory and operational requirements.

Benefits of joining Nua Healthcare!

• Company Pension
• Specified Illness Cover
• Comprehensive Induction Process
• Continuous Professional Development
• Fantastic Development & Career Opportunities
• Life Assurance/Death-in-Service
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Refer/Retain a Friend Bonus
• Discounts with Retailers - Nationwide

Job Objectives Reporting to the Head of Building & Planning, the Director of Maintenance is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership, governance and overall performance of the Maintenance Department across Nua Healthcare.

The role has overall responsibility for ensuring that Nua Healthcare's property portfolio is maintained in a safe, compliant, efficient and cost-effective manner and that the Maintenance Department provides a consistent, responsive and high-quality service to Operations across all areas.

The Director of Maintenance will lead and manage the Area Maintenance Managers and provide overall direction to the wider Maintenance Department, including Maintenance Technicians, specialist Tradespeople and Maintenance Administrators.

In addition to the overall departmental leadership responsibilities, the Director of Maintenance will also have direct responsibility for the management and delivery of maintenance services within one assigned geographical area, fulfilling the operational responsibilities of an Area Maintenance Manager for that area.

The Director of Maintenance will work closely with the Head of Building & Planning to develop and implement the organisation's maintenance strategy, standards, budgets and priorities, and will be responsible for translating these into effective day-to-day maintenance operations across the organisation.

The role requires a strong combination of strategic leadership, people management, interpersonal and communication skills, sound judgement and practical maintenance management experience. The Director will be expected to lead by example, develop and support the Maintenance management team and promote a positive, accountable and collaborative culture across the department.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the Maintenance Department.
• Develop and implement the organisation's maintenance strategy, standards, procedures and operating model.
• Establish clear organisational standards for planned, reactive and compliance-related maintenance.
• Ensure consistency of maintenance delivery across all areas.
• Establish appropriate governance, reporting, escalation and accountability arrangements across the department.
• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, quality and effectiveness of maintenance services.
• Drive continuous improvement across the Maintenance Department.
• Ensure Maintenance resources are aligned with the operational requirements and priorities of the organisation.
• Balance strategic departmental responsibilities with the effective operational management of the assigned Maintenance area.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, manage, support and develop the Area Maintenance Managers.
• Directly lead and manage the Maintenance team within the Director's assigned area, including Technicians and Maintenance Administrator(s).
• Establish clear objectives, responsibilities and performance expectations for the Maintenance management team.
• Provide clear direction, constructive feedback and appropriate support to managers and team members.
• Manage performance and ensure regular performance and development reviews are undertaken across the department.
• Identify management and team competency, training and development requirements and support appropriate development.
• Build a culture of respect, accountability, collaboration, open communication and continuous improvement.
• Support managers in addressing performance, conduct and behavioural concerns appropriately and consistently.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage challenging and sensitive conversations professionally and constructively.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skills and competencies are maintained across all areas.
• Support recruitment, retention, succession planning and professional development within the department.
• Ensure effective allocation of resources between areas where operational priorities require additional support.
• Lead by example and demonstrate the professional standards and behaviours expected across the Maintenance Department.

Maintenance Operations

• Maintain overall oversight of planned preventative, reactive and compliance-related maintenance across the organisation.
• Take direct operational responsibility for planned, reactive and compliance-related maintenance within the assigned area.
• Ensure an appropriate balance between planned and reactive maintenance.
• Drive the transition towards a preventative maintenance model and reduce avoidable reactive maintenance.
• Ensure appropriate prioritisation of maintenance requests based on risk, operational requirements and service-user needs.
• Monitor maintenance backlogs and ensure appropriate actions are taken where performance falls below agreed standards.
• Ensure effective utilisation of Maintenance Technicians and specialist Tradespeople.
• Ensure resources can be deployed across area boundaries where required to respond to organisational priorities.
• Establish appropriate escalation arrangements for significant maintenance issues and emergencies.
• Participate in and provide senior management support to the Maintenance on-call arrangements as required.

Property Condition & Asset Management

• Develop a structured approach to monitoring the condition of Nua Healthcare's property portfolio.
• Ensure appropriate property inspections and condition assessments are undertaken.
• Identify recurring defects, areas of deterioration and emerging maintenance risks.
• Develop short-, medium- and long-term maintenance programmes based on property condition, operational requirements and risk.
• Support the development of lifecycle replacement programmes for building elements, equipment and systems.
• Provide maintenance input into organisational property and capital planning.

Compliance & Risk

• Maintain senior oversight of maintenance-related statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure appropriate systems are in place for statutory inspections, certification, servicing and maintenance.
• Ensure maintenance activities support compliance with relevant Building Regulations, Fire Safety, Health & Safety and other statutory requirements.
• Ensure maintenance-related risks are identified, recorded, prioritised and appropriately managed.
• Ensure appropriate escalation of significant property, compliance and operational risks to senior management.
• Support regulatory inspections and responses where maintenance or property-related matters are identified.
• Ensure appropriate records and evidence of maintenance and compliance activities are maintained.
• Maintain direct oversight of compliance and maintenance-related risks within the Director's assigned area, in addition to providing senior oversight across the wider portfolio.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage the overall Maintenance Department budget.
• Monitor expenditure against budget and identify emerging financial pressures.
• Develop annual maintenance budgets and forecasts in conjunction with Finance.
• Ensure effective financial controls and delegated approval arrangements are maintained.
• Drive value for money across labour, materials, contractors and suppliers.
• Monitor expenditure trends and identify opportunities for efficiencies and cost reduction without compromising safety, compliance or service quality.
• Support long-term financial planning for planned maintenance and asset replacement.
• Manage maintenance expenditure and budget performance within the assigned area while maintaining overall responsibility for the Maintenance Department budget.

Contractor & Procurement Management

• Establish the overall strategy for the use of in-house resources versus external contractors.
• Reduce unnecessary reliance on external contractors by maximising appropriate in-house capability.
• Ensure specialist contractors are used where qualifications, certification, expertise or capacity require external support.
• Establish consistent standards for contractor procurement, appointment . click apply for full job details